🚨 SCAM OF THE WEEK: Romance Scams

Esteffan Coetzee
6 days ago
2 min read

Swipe right for heartbreak, financial ruin, and an imaginary lover stuck in customs with a suitcase full of lies.

What the hell is a Romance Scam?

It’s when a scammer pretends to fall in love with you online, builds trust, and then starts asking for money. Usually for made-up emergencies, fake travel plans, or the classic “I want to be with you but I just need a little help.”

It’s catfishing with a credit card machine.

How does it work?

The meet-cute:
You connect on a dating app, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (yep), or even a random email. They’re gorgeous, charming, attentive—and probably using stolen pics of a model who’s definitely not in love with you.
The love-bombing: Within days, they’re obsessed. You’re their soulmate. Their sun and stars. Their reason for breathing. (Massive ick.)
The sob story: Suddenly, something goes wrong. They lost their job. Their mum’s in hospital. Their business deal fell through. They can’t access their money right now, but it’s just temporary.

The ask: Can you help them? Just a little? You’re the only one they trust. Just one transfer. Then another. And another. Until you're deep in the red and your "soulmate" vanishes like your savings.

Why does it work?

Because it’s not about logic—it’s about feelings. These scams target people who are:

Lonely
Vulnerable
Or just really, really into the idea of finally finding “the one”

The scammer invests time. Builds emotional bonds. Makes you feel seen. Heard. Loved. And then? They cash in.

It’s emotional manipulation, weaponised.

Real-life heartbreak

In 2023, victims in the UK lost over £92 million to romance scams.
One woman lost £320,000 to a man who claimed to be a U.S. Army general stationed overseas. (Spoiler: he wasn’t.)
Another victim sold her house. Yes. Her house. For a relationship that never existed.

These aren't just scams. They're psychological muggings.

How to not get played

Reverse image search their profile pics. If they're showing up as a Turkish influencer or a dentist from Florida… run.

NEVER send money to someone you’ve never met in person. Even if they say it’s “just a loan”.

Pressure + secrecy = red flag. Real relationships don’t need wire transfers.
Talk to someone you trust. Scammers thrive in the shadows of secrecy.
Gut feeling? LISTEN TO IT. If something feels off, it probably is.

And for the love of Wi-Fi, don’t think it can’t happen to you. Romance scams don’t care about your IQ—they care about your emotions. And your bank account.